Taiwan said Monday the leader of the Falungong group was not welcome to come to the island as a visit could damage evolving ties with China, which considers the spiritual movement an "evil cult".
National Security Bureau chief Tsai Teh-sheng said that US-based Li Hongzhi would not be allowed to travel to Taiwan after media reports that the main opposition party planned to invite him.
"Considering national interest and security, now is not the proper time for Li Hongzhi to visit Taiwan," Tsai said in reply to questions in parliament. "A visit like this could spoil ties with the mainland."
The justification was similar to one offered last month, when Taiwan said it would not permit a visit by exiled Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, called a "criminal" by Beijing.
China outlawed the Falungong, which combines meditation with Buddhist-inspired teachings, more than a decade ago. Practitioners have since faced often brutal repression.
Taiwanese media reported last week that the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which favours independence from China, planned to invite Li to Taipei.
Local Falungong activists said they were not aware of an invitation, while the DPP said it had not invited Li.
Taiwan's fast-warming ties with China suffered a setback when the Dalai Lama visited the island in August to comfort victims of Typhoon Morakot.
The Tibetan spiritual leader said repeatedly his visit was "non-political". But China, which regards Taiwan as part of its territory, voiced anger and cancelled visits by several delegations to the island.
Reeling from the Dalai Lama fallout, Taiwan last month swiftly vetoed the idea of a visit by Kadeer, after she had said she would like to travel to the island.
Beijing accuses Kadeer of orchestrating ethnic violence in her home region of Xinjiang in northwest China in July, which left about 200 dead. She denies the charges.
Ties between Taipei and Beijing have otherwise improved markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power, pledging to boost trade and allow in more Chinese tourists.
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